Do you love waterfowl hunting and are after the best places to reach your limit this season? Maybe you’re a new hunter, ready to dive into the excitement of ducks in New Jersey? This complete hunting guide provides all the key info on ducks for the 2024-2025 season. It has important dates, rules, license facts, and the best locations to explore.
NJ Duck Game Calendar
New Jersey Fish and Wildlife (NJFW) carefully plans duck season each year. They consider migrating bird numbers and advice from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Key dates for 2024-2025 are up next:
North Zone
- Ducks:
- Oct. 12 – Oct. 19
- Nov. 16 – Jan. 16
- Scaup:
- Oct. 12 – Oct. 19
- Nov. 16 – Dec. 24 (1 bird daily)
- Dec. 25 – Jan. 16 (2 birds daily)
- Brant:
- Nov. 16 – Nov. 30
- Dec. 14 – Jan. 2
South Zone
- Ducks:
- Oct. 19 – Oct. 26
- Nov. 23 – Jan. 23
- Scaup:
- Oct. 19 – Oct. 26
- Nov. 23 – Dec. 31 (1 bird daily)
- Jan. 1 – Jan. 23 (2 birds daily)
- Brant:
- Nov. 23 – Nov. 30
- Dec. 14 – Jan. 9
Coastal Zone
- Ducks:
- Nov. 9 – Nov. 13
- Nov. 28 – Jan. 31
- Scaup:
- Nov. 9 – Nov. 13
- Nov. 28 – Jan. 8 (1 bird daily)
- Jan. 9 – Jan. 31 (2 birds daily)
- Brant:
- Nov. 28 – Dec. 7
- Dec. 14 – Jan. 7
Special Waterfowl Seasons
- Youth Days:
- North Zone: Oct. 5
- South Zone: Oct. 12
- Coastal Zone: Oct. 26
- Statewide Veterans & Active Military Day: Nov. 2
- Statewide Joint Youth and Veterans & Active Military Day: Feb. 1
Bag Limits (Daily & Possession)
| Species | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Bag | 6 | 18 |
| Black Duck | 2 | 6 |
| Blue-winged Teal | 6 | 18 |
| Bufflehead | 6 | 18 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Gadwall | 6 | 18 |
| Goldeneye | 6 | 18 |
| Green-winged Teal | 6 | 18 |
| Mallard (including no more than 2 hens) | 4 | 12 |
| Pintail | 1 | 3 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Ring-necked | 6 | 18 |
| Ruddy | 6 | 18 |
| Scaup | See above Regulations | See above Regulations |
| Shoveler | 6 | 18 |
| Wigeon | 6 | 18 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Whistling Duck (Black-bellied or Fulvous) | 1 | 3 |
| Mergansers (Common, Red-breasted, Hooded) | 5 (Separate Bag Limit) | 15 (Separate Possession Limit) |
| Sea Ducks (Total) | 4 | 12 |
| (*Scoters, *Long-tailed, or *Eiders [no more than 1 hen Eider]) | (3 of any combination) | (9 of any combination)pen_spark |
NJ Duck Hunting Regulations Summary
Duck Season
- 60-day season with a 6-bird bag limit
- Three waterfowl zones with staggered hunting days allowing up to 83 hunt days
New Jersey Waterfowlers Clinic
- Free educational seminar for all ages (10+)
- Covers all aspects of waterfowl hunting in NJ
- Held on Sunday, Oct 13, 2024 at Tip Seaman Park, Tuckerton
Special Sea Duck Area
- Defined as Atlantic Ocean waters beyond jetties and inlet mouths
- Crippled birds only and requires boat under power
Nontoxic Shot Regulations
- Mandatory for all duck hunting
- Shot size cannot exceed Size T (0.200 inch)
- Approved shot types include steel, tungsten, and bismuth based options
Duck License Costs in New Jersey
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting License (Age 16-64) | $27.50 | $100.00 |
| Senior Resident License (Age 65+) | $15.50 | N/A |
| All-Around Sportsman License | $72.25 | N/A |
| 3-Day Non-Resident License | N/A | $50.00pen_spark |
NJ Top Locations for Ducks
New Jersey is home to different landscapes and loads of great spots. Here’s a list of few of them, sorted by area: North Jersey:
North Jersey:
- Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (Morris County): It’s a big place and a top choice for all types of ducks
- High Point State Park (Sussex County): A place where you can hunt and enjoy nature’s beauty.
- Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge (Sussex and Passaic Counties): Amazing for hunting and vital for conservation work.
Central Jersey:
- Assunpink Wildlife Management Area (Mercer County): A vast WMA that proposes different game experiences, including waterfowl.
- Raritan Bay (Middlesex and Monmouth Counties): A broad bay environment giving superb saltwater duck hunting chances.
- Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (Burlington County): A haven that presents a combination of freshwater and saltwater marshes, luring assorted waterfowl.
South Jersey:
- Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (Atlantic County): This County is great for saltwater and freshwater games.
- Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (Ocean County): Is home to a variety of duck species ready to be discovered.
- Barnegat Bay (Ocean County): This expansive bay system offers some of the best saltwater duck pursuit on the East Coast.
- Cape May National Wildlife Refuge (Cape May County): Located in Cape May County, is perfect for experienced hunters seeking saltwater prey.
- Delaware Bay (Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May Counties): Stretching across Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May Counties, is a waterfowl’s winter haven offering outstanding hunting experiences.
Jacob Ross, an avid outdoorsman, is a seasoned bird hunter, particularly skilled in turkeys, doves, and snipes. With years of field experience and a deep understanding of bird behavior, Jacob shares his expertise through compelling content on DoveHunting.us. As the driving force behind various esteemed websites, Jacob's insights and practical advice cater to hunters of all levels, enriching their dove hunting adventures and nurturing a profound connection with the wilderness.